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“Good sermon, Pastor!” Don’t you then want to respond, “What does that actually mean? What was good about it?” Isn’t that the anticipated adjective to describe your sermon as you shake hands at the back (...)

The book of Acts narrates how, in the years following the church’s birth, a small band of disciples turned the Roman world upside down (Acts 17:6) or, more precisely, right side up. Even threats and (...)

Discussion on texts for Easter Sunday (April 5, 2015): (Gospel) John 20:1-18; (Alternate Gospel) Mark 16:1-8; (First Reading) Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; (Second Reading) 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.

Discussion on texts for Maundy Thursday (April 2, 2015): (Gospel) John 13:1-17, 31b-35; (1st Reading) Exodus 12:1-4, [5-10], 11-14; Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; (2nd Reading) 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

Easter and post-Easter lectionary passages naturally dwell on resurrection and salvation, themes that Christians sometimes separate from earthly concerns. Distancing heaven from earth in the lead-up to Earth Day (April 22) would be unfortunate. If (...)

Discussion on texts for Fourth Sunday in Lent (March 15, 2015): (Gospel) John 3:14-21; (1st Reading) Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; (2nd Reading) Ephesians 2:1-10.

Death and life dominate the Lenten lectionary in March, beginning on the first day with Abram’s childlessness and the promise of continued new life through both his wives (Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16), along with the psalmist’s (...)

When Eliza Doolittle is finally able to say, “The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain,” Henry Higgins blurts out, “I think she’s got it! By George, she’s got it!” At last she was (...)

Discussion on texts for Second Sunday of Christmas (Jan. 4, 2015): (Gospel) John 1:(1-9), 10-18; (1st Reading) Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 147:12-20; (2nd Reading) Ephesians 1:3-14.

Discussion on texts for Nativity of Our Lord (III) (Dec. 25, 2014): (Gospel) John 1:1-14; (1st Reading) Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; (2nd Reading) Hebrews 1:1-4, [5-12].